OPINION: RT. HON. FINTIRI, A MAN DESERVING OF ACCOLADES.
Governor
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri of Adamawa state, North east Nigeria has risen through the
ranks of his great party, the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP before ascending to
the office of Chief Executive of the his state.
Adamawa
state boasts of many prominent political giants that have bestrode the
political terrain of not just the state alone, but the country at large and
each of these political giants have also, made their mark in their respective
fields of endeavour.
It
is from this politically studded state that Umaru Fintiri, against all permutations
emerged to become the incumbent governor of the state having served as Speaker
of the legislature in Adamawa state and as Acting Governor.
Such
a meteoric rise would certainly, make many who are not conversant with the
political permutations and alignments of Adamawa state wonder how this man,
deserving of accolades, weathered the political storms and politically savvy leaders
in the state to become the Governor and, this ascension was through hard work,
diligence, dedication and loyalty.
According
to stakeholders in the PDP Adamawa state chapter, Fintiri’s emergence has
brought into play, a very transparent and quality leadership style that has
seen the state reap from his leadership experience for the overall good and
well-being of all, irrespective of political leanings.
To
this school of thought, the efforts of Governor Fintiri towards rebuilding the
damaged infrastructure in the state, owing to years of insurgency by the Boko
Haram group, in collaboration with the North East Development Commission, NEDC
has seen areas especially the Michika and Madagali axis, that have been seriously
affected by the activities of insurgents, is deserving of applause.
It
is therefore, not surprising that His Excellency, Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri being a
recipient of a Leadership Award by the Leadership newspapers, is an attestation
of his unique and quality governance style deserving of accolades and of great
note, worthy of emulation from his colleague governors, loyalists and teeming
supporters across the Northeastern states.
It
is also pertinent to state that, a man who has endeared himself positively to
his people, following his amiable and humble disposition ought to receive commendation
for his exemplary leadership style, knowing that they have a leader who
genuinely has their interest and well-being at heart, in order for him to do
much more. Some would say leadership comes with such expectations and as such,
nothing to cheer.
This
exemplary leadership trait of Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri including his
transparent style of governance has brought about quality and sustainable
development to the state which is also bringing about a return of peace and to
an appreciable level, security to lives and property to the citizenry.
This
style of governance of the Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri will expectedly ensure enthrone
true and genuine democratic dividends to the citizenry.
Therefore,
being a recipient of the “Leadership Award” that is being bestowed upon him, is
evidential of what Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri represents and this has further
endeared him to his teeming supporters from across the state and beyond.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxRIVERS
APC CRISIS: “Abe Is A Mole, Agent Of Destabilization”……. Eze Tells Akande
Committee
……. Abe's failure to clinch party's guber ticket in
2014, genesis of party crisis.
……. Aguma is a PDP tool to sustain 'Ikwerre agenda'.
Chief
Eze Chukwurmeka Eze is a passionate member and critical follower of events
within the All Progressives Congress in Rivers State and Nigeria in general.
In
an expression and demonstration of his love and desire for a virile, vibrant,
focused and united Rivers Chapter of the APC, Eze took out time, in a 20 page
memoranda, to expose the problems that has been causing crises in the
party as well as their unrepentant perpetrators. This complies with the
suggestion of the APC National Reconciliation Committee headed by an astute administrator
and elder statesman, Chief Bisi Akande, and supported by concerned and
committed progressives, that aggrieved members of the party should state
their grievances and therefore, suggest ways for the resolution of such
grievances.
Let
me now congratulate and commend members of this historical Committee on your
appointment at this period to reconcile some of the aggrieved members of our
great party.
In
a statement issued in Port-Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, the ebullient
and very vocal chieftain of the APC disclosed that it has become very
imperative also, to commend President Muhammadu Buhari, and the leadership of
the APC over this inspired moves to reconcile warring factions within the
chapters of the party that are having divisive and internal conflicts.
According
to Eze, “to achieve this particularly in Rivers State, I wish to suggest to the
national leadership of the Party to take a closer look at the Rivers APC crisis
because its own case is different and unique”.
Chief
Eze, erstwhile National Publicity Secretary of the defunct New Peoples
Democratic Party in his 20 page memorandum, traced the crises that has engulfed
the party in Rivers State to 2014, following the failure of Senator Magnus Abe
to clinch the party's gubernatorial ticket and, as a result, provided support
to a group of party stakeholders that sabotaged the fortunes of the party
during the general elections on 2015.
The
party chieftain disclosed that Abe and his co-conspirators continued with their
denigration of the party beyond 2015, when the group embarked on an obvious
destructive mission with the determination that the party would not field any
candidate during the 2019 general elections, and this was the result.
Not
relenting in their satanic and anti-people assignment, the group has once
again, vowed that the party will not exist to participate in the 2023 general
elections in Rivers State; reason being why they have defiled all hands on
solution to the problems of the party in Rivers State, and has continued to
push passionately for the extinction of the party to pave way for the
opposition in state as they have done in previous elections.
As
a recompense for the success of their unholy venture and treacherous alliance
with the People's Democratic Party in Rivers State, some of them have been
appointed into the Rivers State Executive Council under a PDP Government,
others have formally joined PDP in droves and others have contested elective
elections under PDP and won while others are in confidence, waiting for their
own reward for a job well done.
Eze
maintained that the Akande led Reconciliation Committee may face some hurdles
trying to reconcile the party with such group of persons who have done much
harm, not only to the party but also the electorates who were disenfranchised,
as well as key members whose desires to represent the people at the parliament
and in other positions in the government were abruptly terminated.
Accordingly,
Eze described the latest effort by one Igo Aguma, who is continuing in the footsteps
of Abe as unwholesome and another grand plot to keep the party debased, haven
volunteered himself as a willing tool in hands of the Rivers State government
and the People's Democratic Party to weaken the APC, a party he claims to be a
member, so that it will not offer any strong resistance to Rt. Hon. Austin
Opara, the mooted candidate to clinch the PDP ticket for the 2023 general
elections.
Eze
highlighted that if such plot succeeds, it will entail the Ikwerre ethnic
Nationality governing Rivers State for 24 years to the determinant of other
tribes in the state.
"Should
APC play along in this devious plot by Governor Nyesom Wike, I am not sure the
other tribes in Rivers State will ever forgive the leadership of the APC for
such a blunder".
Continuing,
Chief Eze said, "the party must do everything to ensure that Aguma
is stopped in his evil conspiracy and plot with the opposition to scuttle the
chances of the APC fielding candidates in the next election".
I
must reiterate that Dr. Akande-led Reconciliation Committee should note that
the case of Rivers State chapter of the party is a bit unique and different
from that of other chapters and therefore, cannot be handled in a manner
depicting a mere feud, owing to the fact that some extremes and agents of other
political parties and external forces are interested and hell-bent on
destabilizing and weakening the party structure in the State in order to pave
way for the operation of a one party system in the State.
Eze,
who was able to meet the deadline of 10th March, 2020 for the submission of the
12 copies of the memoranda to the Committee, further highlighted that
copies of his historical memorandum were also sent to President Muhammadu
Buhari, the Senate President, Ahmed Lawan; the Chief of Staff, Abba Kyari;
Secretary to Government of the Federation, Boss Mustpaha, and other leaders of
the party and that they all have acknowledged receipt.
Eze
maintained that with the memo, the Committee now has full details of the
genesis of the crisis of APC in Rivers State and will better be guided on how
to go about the business of resolving the crisis and enthroning peace for the
good of party faithful and Rivers people in general.
For
avoidance of doubt, both the memo and the acknowledged copy of the memo by the
Presidency, National Leadership of APC and others are attached for public
perusal.
READ FULL DETAILS OF THE MEMORANDA:
MEMORANDA
FROM CHIEF EZE CHUKWUEMEKA EZE FOR THE ATTENTION OF THE APC NATIONAL
RECONCILLATION COMMITEE AS A STAKEHOLDER AND CONCERNED MEMBER OF RIVERS STATE
APC
The Chairman,
The APC National
Reconciliation Committee,
Committee's
Secretariat,
No. 24 Panama
Street,
Maitama, Abuja.
C/o, Senator John
Owan Enoh,
Secretary,
APC National
Reconciliation Committee.
Dear
Sir,
RE:
REQUEST FOR MEMORANDA FROM AGGRIEVED MEMBERS OF APC. (MEMORANDUM SUBMITTED BY
CHIEF EZE CHUKWUEMEKA EZE, A STAKEHOLDER AND CONCERNED MEMBER OF RIVERS STATE
APC)
INTRODUCTION:
My
name is Chief Eze Chukwuemeka Eze, a foundation, stakeholder, and committed
member of the All Progressives Congress, Rivers State Chapter.
For
avoidance of doubt, it is on record that I was among the pioneer and major
forces to the setting up of the All Progressives Congress (APC), at the
National level, as a frontline member and Spokesperson of the defunct New
Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP), one of the major blocks that actualised the
formation of the APC at the National Level. At the State level, I was appointed
the Spokesperson of the foundation State Chairman, Dr. Davies Ikanya Ibiamu.
It
is also not in doubt, the risk I took as the Spokesperson of the defunct nPDP,
speaking for the Seven Governors of this group who were being haunted by the
then PDP Government including hundreds of National Assembly members and
thousands of members of this great and historical group to confront the
previous PDP Administration under the watch of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.
BUT
DO ALL THE FEATS ABOVE QUALIFY OR POSITION ME TO DO A MEMO ON THE CRISIS THAT
HAVE BEDEVILED THE RIVERS APC?
Let
Dr Dakuku Adolphus Peterside, one of the most educated politicians in Rivers
State, one-time member of the Federal House of Representatives; the All
Progressives Congress (APC) Rivers State Governorship Candidate in 2015 general
elections and the erstwhile Director-General (DG) of NIMASA and first Nigerian
to head the African Maritime Industry, answer this question. After reading one
of my articles he exclaimed, "Always VINTAGE EZE like no other. I
challenge anybody in the land today. No journalist has as much information on
anybody like Chief Eze C Eze. Chief Eze is without doubt a repository of
knowledge”.
It
is based on this assumption and public trust reposed on me by the people of
this region to passionately and creditably discuss any issue pertaining to the
politics of Rivers State and Niger Delta region at large that I am being
saddled with the responsibility of presenting this memorandum which is credenda
on the crisis that has bedeviled the Rivers State chapter of the APC to this
historical Committee.
PREAMBLE
To
the chagrin and displeasure of key watchers of the evolution and development of
democracy in Nigeria, particularly the creation of the All Progressives
Congress, as one of the few political parties in the world to have succeeded to
unseat a very strong and powerful political party (PDP) that was in power, and
especially, that one man from Rivers State, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi,
has the singular honour of leading the party and her presidential candidate,
General Muhammad Buhari, to victory on two occasions; that the party, owing to
the influences of internal and external forces was denied participation in the
2019 general elections after failing to form the Government in Rivers State in
2015.
The
sacrifices and inputs made by Rt. Hon. Amaechi, with others from Rivers
State to the success and standing of APC in the politics of Nigeria need not be
overemphasized.
Most
members of the Rivers APC suffered varying degree of risks; hundreds of our
people were slaughtered and rendered homeless in Rivers State, all in the drive
to ensure the setting up and success of the All Progressives Congress, at the
national level.
It
is only ironical and disheartening that some members of the APC, not minding
all the risks, sacrifices and challenges to ensure the election and
sustainability of the party in Nigeria, connived with some external forces to
see to the extinction of the Rivers State Chapter of the APC.
THE
MAIN AIM OF THIS MEMO
Having
adequately introduced myself and the unfortunate status of Rivers APC, it is
appropriate I divulge into the main of this memo which is in compliance with
your request that memoranda from aggrieved APC members from any of the 36
states of the federation and from the FCT should be submitted to your committee
for study and possible adoption of the suggestions on the causes of the crisis
and solutions on the way forward.
According
to your notice, "aggrieved party members should state the particulars of
the grievance or complaint, the states concerned and remedy being sought".
Based
on this directive, I intend to present and expose the genesis of the crisis
that bedeviled the party in Rivers State, the Actors behind the crisis, their
possible aims and objectives in igniting the crisis and possible solutions to
the self-inflicted crisis
COMMENDATION
Let
me at this juncture congratulate and commend members of this historical
Committee on your appointment at this period to reconcile some of the aggrieved
members of our great party.
It
becomes imperative also to commend President Mohammadu Buhari, and the
leadership of the APC over this inspired moves to reconcile warring factions
within the chapters of the party that are having divisive and internal
conflicts.
To
achieve this particularly in Rivers State, I wish to suggest to the national
leadership of the Party to take a closer look at the Rivers APC crisis because
its own case is different and unique.
THE
UNIQUENESS OF THE RIVERS STATE APC CRISIS AND CHALLENGES OF THE APC NRC.
I
must reiterate that Dr. Akande-led Reconciliation Committee should note that
the case of Rivers State chapter of the party is a bit unique and different
from that of other chapters and therefore, cannot be handled in a manner
depicting a mere feud, owing to the fact that some extremes and agents of other
political parties and external forces are interested and hell-bent on
destabilizing and weakening the party structure in the State in order to pave
way for the operation of a one party system in the State.
THE
CRISIS, HOW THE WORLD PERCEIVES THE RIVERS APC CRISIS AND THE CONSEQUENCES OF
THE ACTIONS OF SOME PARTY CHIEFTAINS:
The
worldview of the crisis will reveal two or three factions within the Rivers APC
- Amaechi, Abe and to some extent, Aguma's 3rd Force. To every member who knows
the rudiments of the feud, this assertion is factual, but the truth is that
prior to the 2019 elections, Senator Magnus Abe, insisted that if the
party's gubernatorial ticket is not given to him, then the party will not
exist in the State.
To
achieve this, he hurriedly set up machineries to frustrate the party, and as a
result, succeeded in installing the failed PDP Government which has left Rivers
people in squalor and pauper.
Accordingly,
Abe's protracted divisive schemes within the Rivers APC took a disturbing and
calamitous trend when the party and its candidates were disallowed to
participate in the 2019 electoral contest, thereby paving way for the People's
Democratic Party to clinch victory at the polls at the detriment of Rivers
electorates. This he was able to achieve in connivance with Gov. Nyesom Wike,
who made him lots of promises, which includes inter alia; giving him some
commissioner slots. By this, regard, Senator Abe made good his threat to punish
the Rivers APC for not giving him the ticket, and thus I wonder what any
reconciliation would fetch Senator Abe, when he is already reaping his reward
for doing a good job for Governor Wike, PDP and his external forces and
collaborators.
Months
after the general elections, one would have thought that Abe and his group
would allow peace to prevail to enable the party put its structure in order and
allow things to take shape internally for sober reflection, stock-taking and
proper planning for future engagements, but it is worrisome to learn that
events have proved Senator Abe unready and unyielding to calls for calm and
peace in the party.
The
national leadership must understand that such a person would not want
reconciliation at this moment so that he can continue hiding under the party
crisis to work out things in his real party.
AGUMA
AND HIS GAME PLAN:
The
none-existing Aguma's third Force whose mission is to continue the decimation
of the party from where Abe stopped shockingly came up immediately Abe's case
and attempt to frustrate the party from organising her Congresses duly approved
by the National Working Committee of the party met its waterloo. Aguma went
further to abuse and insult the National Chairman of the party, Adams
Oshiomhole, including the Leader of the party in the State, Dr. Chibuike Rotimi
Amaechi.
The
primary mission of Aguma and his cohorts is to weaken the party in order to
pave way for the continuation of the governance of the State by the PDP beyond
2023. The plot is to sinisterly install another Ikwerre son after Amaechi and
Wike to the detriment of other tribes in the State. This mission seems more
important to them than reconciliation which would not be in their interest.
They know that if they decamp, their case in court against the APC would
perish. So, it is in the interest of the PDP that Igo Aguma has vowed to remain
in the party to continue the agenda through unending court cases. Trying to
bring them to a genuine reconciliation table would be difficult if not
impossible.
To
demonstrate the unseriousness of Aguma and his cohorts to the mandate of the
this committee, Aguma suggested that the Hon. Minister of Transportation, Rt.
Hon. Chibuike Amaechi, should step aside as leader of the All Progressives
Congress in Rivers State before reconciliation can take place. This is an
obvious charade.
The
Committee should note that such demand from Aguma, as a prerequisite for
reconciliation does not depict him as someone who is ready for peace,
reconciliation and progress of the APC.
It
would be recalled that the subsisting Order of Court restraining the APC from
conducting Congresses in Rivers State is to Aguma's credit. Despite the
condemnations he received for his ill-conceived action against the party,
Igochukwu Aguma has continued to brag about the court order, although he is yet
to come clean on his reasons behind the move. It is clear that this crisis is
being hatched from outside the party from Aging's body language and
antecedents, any attempt for reconciliation would be impossible because he is fighting
for a course in the interest of the PDP.
While
I encourage dialogue as an option to settle all scores, I fear that Igochukwu
Aguma, may turn out to be a dangerous spy, an intelligencer for an unknown
glorified local champion, in the pursuit of a selfish private vendetta. It is
good to mention that Aguma has severally been challenged to recant all actions
lodged in the court against the party, and come to dialogue if he still has the
interest of the Rivers APC at heart. But the fact remains that peace and
dialogue are not among the agenda of Aguma and his cohorts because their scheme
is in fulfillment of their part of the bargain with Gov. Wike and the Rivers
State Chapter of the PDP.
Let
me formally expose the game plan of Aguma and his sponsors. Regardless of all
he has gained through Amaechi, Aguma decided to join forces to ruin the
Minister and the Rivers APC to help Wike actualize the evil vision of
installing Rt. Hon. Austin Opara, another great son of Ikwerre and erstwhile
Deputy Speaker of the Federal House of Representatives, as the next Governor of
Rivers State, so that the Ikwerre will govern Rivers State for 24 years through
Amaechi, Wike and Opara, to the detriment and exclusion of other tribes of the
State.
It
is obvious that the gang up against the Rivers APC headed by Aguma is to pave
way for the Ikwerre ethnic nationality and the PDP to hold on to power beyond
2023, a position Rt. Hon. Amaechi has continually opposed.
Amaechi
wants the Riverine section of the State to take over the Brick House; that is
why Wike and his gang are hell-bent that he must be destroyed.
Let
me highlight that betrayals and strife will end when people begin to see
politics and integrity as synonymous. I sue for peace but not the graveyard
peace stewed in dishonesty.
THE
GENESIS OF THIS CRISIS
My
good friend, Senator Magnus Ngei Abe, in his thinking traced the crisis of the
party on three occasions or events.
In
an interview he granted both to AIT and Vanguard Newspaper, as well as a Press
statement issued by his Media Aide, he tried so hard to upturn the rudimentary
issues that sparked the crisis in the Rivers APC.
Sen.
Abe, had in an interview with Vanguard Newspaper, titled, "How my fight
with Amaechi started~~Chief Senator Magnus Abe opens up!" preempted,
predicated and premised on the Amaechi's visit to his Abuja residence where he
alleged that Amaechi asked him to kill any hope of becoming the state governor
under the APC in 2019 as the genesis of the crisis of Rivers APC;
whereas, his press statement issued by PARRY SAROH BENSON, his Media Aide
quoted the Senator from his AIT Interview as saying: "...The origin of
this whole problem was the disobedience to Court orders that brought the
face-off between Rivers APC and the Nigerian judiciary. It has nothing to do
with a third party. It has to do with behaviour of the people in the
party..." These conflicting positions add credence to the assertion that
Abe is skilled in mudslinging and malevolent enterprise.
It
is unfortunate that Abe will like to rewrite the history of the crisis of
Rivers APC by postulating that the crisis commenced from the visit of the
Minister to his house which was primarily to plead with him to allow the party
to be rebuilt.
To
buttress this point, Barr Dike Princewill, a stakeholder in the politics of
Rivers State, capturing what transpired during Amaechi's visit to Abe stated,
"My big friend and brother, Sen.Magnus Abe is begging the issue in his
narrative. The real problem erupted when people started nursing ambitions that
were creating schism in the party that was in dare need of repositioning.
Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi's only advise then was that there has to be a party
first before ambitions could be realised. Let's know when the rains started in
order to seek proper shelter. This is the same advise that Alhaji Atiku
Abubakar has recently canvassed in order to reposition the PDP ahead of the
2023 elections. If there was discipline in the rank and file of Rivers
APC at that time and Amaechi, the leader's advise was heeded, the party would
have been a winning machinery. Vaulting ambitions made reasons to take flight.
Sad."
Dike's
position succinctly captures the issue, not Amaechi's visit, not even
disobedience to court orders, because selfish interests and inordinate ambitions
led to the floodgate of litigations that resulted to court orders.
Senator
Abe's position that a faceoff between the Judiciary and the APC ignited the
crisis is a mere myth, emanating from the abyss. To us, there the courts acted
within the province of law and there is no faceoff between Rivers APC and the
judiciary as postulated by Abe.
Let
me reiterate at this juncture that the crisis actually started when Senator Abe
failed to clinch the APC ticket during the 2014 party Primaries which led to
the mobilisation of youths from the Ogoni axis to protest the choice of Dr.
Dakuku Adol Peterside, as the consensus candidate for the 2015 gubernatorial
election.
It
is on good authority that Abe, mobilised Ogoni youths who marched through the
popular Azikiwe Road to the main gate of the Government House in Port Harcourt,
insisting that the then Governor, Amaechi, betrayed the Ogoni interest by
‘anointing’ Peterside as the governorship candidate of the APC.
The
protesters, who had earlier blocked major points of the East-West Road in Eleme
Local Government Area, chanted war songs, even as some of them threw stones,
damaging some vehicles parked near the Government House. Most of us including
the then Governor Amaechi, were held hostage in the Government House by the
protesting Ogoni youths.
The
Public Relations Officer of the Movement for the survival of Ogoni People
(MOSOP) then, Legborsi Esaen was quoted as stating thus; "Amaechi has
betrayed the Ogonis. We have resolved to support any party that presents an
Ogoni son as its governorship candidate. We are no longer prepared to play
second fiddle in the politics of Rivers State. It's either governorship or
nothing"
The
Ogonis were affirmative when they further stated, during the protest,
"Governor Amaechi made us to defect from the PDP to the APC with hope to
give us the governorship ticket. He made us to fight the Federal Government.
Governor Amaechi deceived us into following him and now he wants to marginalise
us. Amaechi used us and dumped us. Why will he want to make somebody
(Dakuku) from Opobo a Governor? Opobo is a single community. They are a
minority. Why will he want us, the Ogonis who have four four Local
Government Areas to concede to a minority? So we are saying that an Ogoni
man must become the Governor of Rivers State in 2015"
To
give credence to the stand of the Ogoni as stated above, a key stakeholder in
the politics of Rivers State and one of the pivotal Pillars of the so called
Abe's camp, Chief Allwell Onyesoh after five years of this historical protest
stated recently in an interview with the Vanguard Newspaper and I quote,
"...Magnus Abe was the standout card. We needed a man much mature,
competent and has the support base to confront Wike. Wike is from Ikwerre with
four LGAs, Abe, Ogoni, with four LGAs too. Then-governor (Amaechi) brought
Dakuku from Opobo, the smallest LGA, if I am not mistaken. He brought
running-mate from another small ethnic group – Engenni – who wasn’t even
politically experienced". Chief Onyesoh, one of the great Irokos of Rivers
State politics went further to insinuate, "As a political party, we have
the most lucrative offices. One of them is Director, Operations of NPA. People
supply water to ships, clean NPA; do all kinds of things in wharfs. All those you
can use to employ massively. What of NIMASA, what of railway? Sam Sam Jaja
heads the board of a higher institution, are there no contracts there? You want
to win election? Opobo, a tiny place, Dakuku is from there. Sam Sam Jaja is
from there and a place as large as Etche and Omuma with over two hundred
thousand voters, not one recognition. How do you take care of only a few and
expect the majority to vote for you?"
Today,
as I write, Oyesoh is officially a member of the PDP.
Abe
and his group after failing to clinch the 2015 ticket of APC hatched a deadly
plot to sabotage the candidature of Dr. Petetside. They stayed back at Port
Harcourt, after being mobilised for the elections. They refused going back to
their various constituencies to canvass for votes for APC. The reason was that
if Dakuku fails to win the 2015 election, he Dr Dakuku will not go for a second
term in 2019 thereby creating an opportunity for Abe to clinch the party's
ticket. Sadly for him and his co-travellers none of these plots worked out as
it would have been foolhardy to trust such a character that sabotaged the party
in 2015 to be given the party's ticket in 2019.
No
matter whatever anybody may say, the fact remains that this is the beginning of
Abe's fight against Amaechi and the party, and not the erroneous impression
being presented to the public by Abe and his misguided group blaming everything
on Amaechi's visit to his house and the alleged face-off between APC and
Judiciary.
By
all the above accounts, nobody should be further deceived by the antecedents
and antics of Abe and his group, using incidents that don't relate to their
reasons of destroying a political party and personality that played key roles
in whatever they are today in politics.
The
Committee should note that Senator Abe is the highest political investment of
Amaechi. This, he confessed with his mouth. Amaechi influenced his nomination
as a Commissioner in Dr Odili's administration, appointed him the Secretary to
the Rivers State Government and influenced his Senatorial ambition on two
occasions to the detriment of other Ogoni sons. What has Amaechi not done in
Abe's political life and history?
In
an interview titled, “Abe fighting Amaechi to destroy our party but…” by one of
the strong pillars of APC in Rives State, Ambassador Oji Nyimenuate Ngofa who
is Nigeria’s envoy to the royal Dutch kingdom of the Netherlands and one time
National Deputy Secretary of APC On December 1, 2018 to the Vanguard Newspapers
he throw more light on Abe’s plot to destroy APC, “We have evolved as a family
with harmony and unity of purpose in how we take decisions. I will not be part
of any aspiration that will create disunity within the leadership under the
Hon. Minister of Transportation. And I did tell Sen. Abe that I did not think
that we should divide the family because of his aspiration. Because the way I
see it is that he has a right to aspire, nobody is challenging that but I have
issues with the fact that you want to upturn and destroy a system because of
your own aspiration. A system that you have been part of that Sen. Abe is one
of its biggest beneficiaries; a system that you have been promoting. And I
disagreed with that and I told him(Abe) that if he intends to pursue his
ambition outside of the framework of our political family and collective
interest under Amaechi’s leadership, I will not be part of it. I made it very
clear to him”.
EXCERPTS
FROM THE REACTIONS OF FEW PARTY MEMBERS:
(1)
"This is the very first time I have seen or noticed that single
individuals are bigger than political parties. Am still wondering what this
scenario is all about. The party in the state and the national left the likes
of Abe and Agunma to destroy and destabilize the party in the state, and yet
nothing is being done to them. Since they are so big that they cannot be
expelled by the party, there is no need crying fowl. But to say the least, the
teaming APC population in Rivers State is highly disappointed in what is
happening in the party. The earlier these monsters exit APC the better for the
party". – Chief Laz Damabara
(2)
"I believe you in this because these bigots are not after the progress of
APC but working for another party to destroy APC, they are all on Wike"s
payroll doing the dirty work". Adams Desiru
(3)
"Dear Chf Eze, your in-depth fact finding research on the willful
disregard of the APC Constitution and the wanton anti-party Statements and
activities of Mr. Igo Aguma and his Cohorts on the setting up of Rivers State
Caretaker Committee, is a central proof that he is a Settled Spoiler,
positioned to put to asunder the teaming members of Rivers State APC to
perpetual disadvantage at the of Nick of time. I suggest that your letter
should be copied to the Chief of Staff by virtue of his position and Status in
the party. He may hasten your letter to the President for needful action. 2019
event must not repeat itself". – Anuna L. Chukwuebuka
(4)
"The reconciliation committee will be flogging a dead horse if they do not
look at the inherent attachment of the purported gladiators and their recent
antecedent, their romance with the opposition and the flagrant disrespect and
disregard to party organs and authorities as enshrined in the party
constitution. Again looking at the quick rush to court at any given or
slight disagreement and the manner of injunctions obtained raises serious
issues of concern. No loyal party member will hope to see his party loose
woefully in the manner Rivers APC did. So attempt to reconcile crocodile with a
stray alligator is like asking lion to guide leopard. The party will do
better if it restructures itself with full progressive ideals and weed away
crass conservatives in it's midst. The results of pampering renegade and
recalcitrant members will be too costly in time to come.
Only
a party that has lost ideas and political focus will admit all manners of
characters in its fold". - Dr Jackson Omenazu
WHERE
ARE ABE'S STRONG MEN?
Dr.
Peter Meedeh and Bariere Thomas key actors within the Abe’s alleged faction are
all currently serving as Commissioners in the State Executive Council of Rivers
State while Barry Mpigi, who left him very early is now a PDP Senator of the
Federal Republic of Nigeria.
According
to Chief Allwell Onyesoh, Senator Abe's main pillar who recently joined PDP
stated, "I am tired of being in court today court tomorrow, everyday court
injunction, I am tired, if that is how politics has been from the beginning
nobody will love to be a politician. I am now a PDP member, I need your support
to be relevant in the party, thank you very much and God bless you".
Reacting
to this new development, Adams Desiri stated, "Now that Alwell Nyeso has
officially confirmed your suspicion all along, it is time Magnus follow suit
and allow us to rebuild the APC in Rivers State, he has done enough damage
already and the leadership of the party must be on the lookout for their
remnant that might be used against the party in the nearest future".
What
other proof does anyone need to understand that Abe is staying back to see how
he can pull down and destroy the party that sustained him in the Senate, I
implore the APC National Reconciliation Committee shouldn’t play into his hands
to achieve his sinister plot against the party.
ON
THE WAY FORWARD:
Bouchi
Nsirim a prominent member of Rivers APC highlighted that, "it will take
the blood of Jesus and extra, to heal the wounds in Rivers APC. The hate and
blackmail amongst the leaders is worse than I thought".
In
this regard, Barr Eli Sogbeye a great thinker from Rivers State gave an insight
on the way forward, “I think the way forward is divorce with the complete
breakdown of these relationships. There is nothing to be gained from an
incestuous affair neither is there anything profitable in an unwilling
cohabitation"
Gimah
Bealeema, another great son of Rivers State from Gokana maintained,
"Amaechi's dynasty has not collapsed and will never collapse. Those who
have eaten enough from him are going. We that are diehard amachified are with
him. I have suggested long ago that the stakeholders meeting at various local
government should sit and suspend these goal getters one by one."
Senator
Magnus Abe shocks the entire world and added credence to his earlier position
when he stated thus in a public forum: “Some people are busy looking for who is
causing the problem, but you (Wike) are trying to look for solutions. I think
we should ALIGN with those looking for solutions and LEAVE those looking for
causes."
Chief
Allwell Onyesoh, a pillar behind Abe’s revolt postulated as a way forward, “If
we, too, after so much and nothing are happening, decide to move, that won’t
make us bad people. If we can no longer organise the powers-that-be and
ourselves are not helping matters, we will look at those who are organised if
we must continue to play the game. There will be realignment of forces”.
Iroko
Onyesoh"s position tallies with the position of Senator Magnus Abe who
publicly stated that they would be joining Wike who is better organised and
have solutions to his group’s plight. Chief Onyesoh have already joined PDP
with thousands of Abe’s supporters.
My
question then is, must Abe and his misguided co-travellers destroy APC before
they move? God forbid!!
CONCLUSION
Let
me therefore appeal and encourage Abe and his acolytes, “as we expect them to
move to their better organized platform, I appeal to them to do that peacefully
and allow APC to have peace and forge ahead accordingly”.
On
the way forward, I supports the position of Magnus Abe aptly captured by Chief
Onyesoh when he stated, "...If we, too, after so much and nothing is
happening, decide to move, that won’t make us bad people. If we can no longer
organise ourselves and the powers-that-be are not helping matters, we will look
at those who are organised if we must continue to play the game. There will be
realignment of forces."
We
understand all these game plans and plead with Abe and his group to leave
Amaechi and those who are still interested to reposition the party for a better
future for Rivers State and her teeming populace.
I
appeal to the Akande led APC National Reconciliation Committee to carefully
study the points raised in this memo and do the needful and save the party from
the hands of these agents of destabilization. In doing this, the Committee
should consider the inputs and sacrifices made by Amaechi in building this
party coupled with the deaths of our members who were slaughtered in building
the party and ensured that divisive elements are shown the way out of the party
to safeguard the integrity of the party.
Signed
Chief
Eze Chukwuemeka Eze.
Eze
is a Stakeholder and committed member of APC based in Port Harcourt, Rivers
State and can be reached via ezemediaconcept2020@gmail.com and
08022049770.
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GOVERNOR FINTIRI
LEADS NEDC ON ASSESSMENT/INSPECTION OF VITAL PROJECTS IN THE NORTH EAST
In
pursuance of his promise to speedily reconstruct infrastructure destroyed by the insurgent group,
Boko Haram in Adamawa state over seven years ago, the Governor of the state, Governor
Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri alongside some officials of the North East Development
Commission NEDC, on Monday paid an inspection/ assessment visit to the three
bridges along Michika - Madagali axis.
The
visit of His Excellency followed the recommendation of the North East Governors
Forum after its meeting with the NEDC recently in Gombe.
Worried
by the slow pace of the ongoing construction work on the
bridges at Kudzum, Dilchim and Wuro Ngayadi all in Michika and Madagali local
governments, the Governor decided to visit the areas with officials of the NEDC
with a view to taking over funding of the projects by the commission from
the federal ministry of works.
According
to the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on New Media, Mr. Zidon Love in
a statement, said Governor Umaru Fintiri described the condition of those
plying the road as devastating given the broken down bridges has cut off
commercial activities between Adamawa and Borno states thereby causing untold
hardship to the communities.
He
said the state government had agreed with the NEDC to take over funding of the project
that will form part of the projects that will be shared between the Adamawa state
government and the Commission.
The
Governor described the funds allocated to the project as grossly inadequate,
which according to him, warranted the delay in proper execution of the
work by the contractor and further expressed hope that the work will be
completed soon.
On
his part, the Managing Director, North East Development Commission, Mohammed
Goni Alkali said that the commission at the instance of the Governor,
decided to come and inspect the ongoing construction of the three bridges and
thereafter will discuss with the Federal Ministry of Works so as to take over
funding of the projects as soon as possible.
In
the same vain, Governor Umaru Fintiri alongside his entourage also
inspected the permanent site of the College of Health Technology in Michika as
part of efforts to fulfill his earlier promise of relocating the institution
from Mubi to its Permanent site in Michika as enshrined in the act that
established the institution.
Saidu Aliyu, a public analyst and commentator writes
from Mubi.
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